With the general availability of Windows 8/RT and Surface, I have decided it is time for me to take a step back from my responsibilities at Microsoft. I’ve always advocated using the break between product cycles as an opportunity to reflect and to look ahead, and that applies to me too.

After more than 23 years working on a wide range of Microsoft products, I have decided to leave the company to seek new opportunities that build on these experiences. My passion for building products is as strong as ever and I look forward focusing my energy and creativity along similar lines.

The Windows team, in partnerships across all of Microsoft and our industry, just completed products and services introducing a new era of Windows computing. It is an incredible experience to be part of a generational change in a unique product like Windows, one accomplished with an undeniable elegance. Building on Windows, Surface excels in design and utility for a new era of PCs. With the Store, Internet Explorer, Outlook.com, SkyDrive and more, each of which lead the way, this experience is connected to amazing cloud services.

It is inspiring to think of these efforts making their way into the hands of Microsoft’s next billion customers. We can reflect on this project as a remarkable achievement for each of us and for the team. Our work is not done, such is the world of technology, and so much more is in store for customers.

It is impossible to count the blessings I have received over my years at Microsoft. I am humbled by the professionalism and generosity of everyone I have had the good fortune to work with at this awesome company. I am beyond grateful.I have always promised myself when the right time came for me to change course, I would be brief, unlike one of my infamous short blog posts, and strive to be less memorable than the products and teams with which I have been proudly and humbly associated. The brevity of this announcement is simply a feature.

Some might notice a bit of chatter speculating about this decision or timing. I can assure you that none could be true as this was a personal and private choice that in no way reflects any speculation or theories one might read — about me, opportunity, the company or its leadership.

As I’ve always believed in making space for new leaders as quickly as possible, this announcement is effective immediately and I will assist however needed with the transition.I am super excited for what the future holds for the team and Microsoft.

OS:Windows 8 Pro x64 (testing to see if I keep it or go back to Windows 7)

Posted 13 November 2012 - 17:06

I bolded the following:

Some might notice a bit of chatter speculating about this decision or timing. I can assure you that none could be true as this was a personal and private choice that in no way reflects any speculation or theories one might read — about me, opportunity, the company or its leadership.

Does he actually think people are that stupid, it's too obvious he was fired!

Some might notice a bit of chatter speculating about this decision or timing. I can assure you that none could be true as this was a personal and private choice that in no way reflects any speculation or theories one might read — about me, opportunity, the company or its leadership.

Does he actually think people are that stupid, it's too obvious he was fired!

Some might notice a bit of chatter speculating about this decision or timing. I can assure you that none could be true as this was a personal and private choice that in no way reflects any speculation or theories one might read — about me, opportunity, the company or its leadership.

Does he actually think people are that stupid, it's too obvious he was fired!

It seems people like to talk an awful lot about things they don't know about on here, and then pass it off as fact...like this above post.

No, absolutely. I also do it using my galaxy note.It is as comfortable as sitting in front of a desktop to write work-related text for hours, isn't it?

With the touch cover or type cover...why wouldn't it be? The keyboard there is about the same size as the keyboard I currently use on my laptop and desktop.

I bet you used a Blackberry phone even after about 2 years the iPhone was available.

Just guessing...

No I used a real smartphone. I owned multiple Samsung and HTC based Windows Mobile devices, and before Smartphones were prevalent I was using PocketPC and Windows Mobile based PDA's.

I considered Palm and Blackberry devices too limited on the functionality side. I wanted something that could interface with all of my work gear, and keep track of all of my professional and personal obligations.

I could keep that all up-to-date much more easily via Windows Mobile due to Exchange Activesync.

BTW is there a chance people could stop with all the off-topic trolling, and get back to the topic of the thread itself? That of course being about the final words StevenSi fired out to folks. Discuss...